The Link between Diet, Gut Bacteria and Healthy Vision

Share This:

Using mice, a team of researchers from the University of Montreal has determined that changes in gut bacteria may contribute to the onset of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by triggering an abnormal immune response in the body. Specifically, eating a diet rich in unhealthy fats can alter the microbial community in the gut, where at least 70% of the immune system can be found. This can lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn may worsen conditions such as wet AMD.

“Our study suggests that diets rich in fat alter the gut microbiome in a way that aggravates wet AMD, a vascular disease of the aging eye. Influencing the types of microbes that reside in your gut either through diet or by other means may thus affect the chances of developing AMD and progression of this blinding disease,” said lead author Dr. Przemyslaw Sapieha.

Researchers believe their findings, published in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine, may begin to explain the strong link between obesity and AMD. It is possible that modifying the gut bacteria with friendly microbes from certain foods and probiotic supplements may help reduce inflammation and support eye health as we age.*

Post navigation

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Disclaimer: No content contained in this website is intended as, or should be construed as, medical advice. Consumers should consult with their physician for individual medical recommendations. The information in this website concerns Dietary Supplements. They are not drugs. Our Dietary Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Renew Life does not receive compensation for studies referenced in articles on this site; products mentioned in the same article should not be considered an endorsement by the author of the study.

The educational material presented in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are now exiting the blog and entering an area in which you can purchase nutritional products. As always, consult your physician prior to starting any nutritional supplement program or to make any other changes to your current health or medical regimen.